Electric switch



Oct. 16, 1928. 1,687,611

- L. HAMER ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Jan. 10, 1924 Patented Get. 16, 192 8.

UNITED STATES,

LOUIS HAMER, OF MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA.

ELECTRIC SXVITCH.

Application filed January 10, 1924, Serial No. 685,378.

The invention relates to electrical signal circuit closer, as described in'the' present specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings that form part of the same.

The invention consists essentially of the novel features of construction pointed out in the claim for novelty following a description containing an explanation in detail of an acceptable form of the invention.

The objects of the invention are to save lives and property in vehicle transportation by affording every opportunity to the driver to sound an alarm, while the hand is on a controlling wheel or handle; to afford every facility in the management of motor cars and trucks; to insure comfort, convenience and safety to the motorists; and generally to provide a simple, elii-cient and serviceable device for operating the signal.

Figure 1 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the steering wheel rim.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the lower rim section.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the upper rim section.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the various figures.

Referring to the drawings, the wheel 1 is shown as being formed with a split rim having the upper section 2 and lower section 3, these sections being held together by the flat springs 4 and 5 arranged at intervals and centrally held to the upper section 2 by the bolts 6 and to the lower section 5 by the screws 7 and 8 through the slots 9 and 10.

The springs 4 are spaced from the springs 5 and the contact rings 11 and 12 are arranged therebetween, the ring 11 being secured to the upper section 2 and the ring 12 being secured to the lower section 3. The lug 13 projects from the ring 11 and has the binding screw 14 inserted therein and the lug 15 projects from the ring 12 and has the binding screw 16 inserted therein.

The wires 17 and 18 lead from the binding screws 14 and 16 and the electric circuit includes the battery and horn. The wires from the contacts 11 and 12 preferably follow a wheel spoke 21 and extend into the post 22 being brought out at any suitable place according to the particular installation. I

The rubber rings 23 and 24 are mounted on the lower section 8 one on the outside of the contact 12 and the rubber buffers 25 are screwed to the upper rim. 2 and resiliently meet the rings 23 and 24. The

rings 23 and 24 are each slotted at 26 and horn, for it is well known in devices hereto-- fore patented the difficulties have always occurred through the weakness of the springs and the inability of determining the proper spring pressure for separating the contacts to meet the different dispositions of the innumerable persons using such a device, as for example, one person will have a very light touch on the wheel even though it may be firm, while another person will grasp the wheel tightly, only in that way can that person successfully guide the vehicle.

It has been necessary to find some way to hold the contacts apart, other than by spring pressure, so that one. contact will rest permanently in a positionapart from the other contact, even when the springs are pressed to form a grasp of the wheel, in other words, there must be the secondary member forming an actual rest for the contact until actually driven together by main force.

The force is of course comparatively light, in other words, it is not a great force re quired, simply a stronghand or inger pressure so that the holding of the contacts apart does not entirely depend on strength, but on the supporting of a contact on a reasonably solid surface which yields to stronger pressure. 7

It is believed that this differentiates the present invention from any of the earlier inventions that have been patented, and the nearest so far as the applicant is aware is where there are spring contacts supplemented by cushion springs, but the cushion springs are merely for the purpose of holding these spring contacts apart, whereas in this invention there are no spring contacts, but there are springs holding the contacts apart, and these springs are supplemented by a rest here shown as rubber cushions or blocks on .which one annular contact rests until the requlsite pressure is brought to bear, to bring the two annular contacts together, notwithstanding this solid rest.

lVhatI claim is 1. An electric switch, comprising a steering Wheel rim forming tWo annular electric contacts, arcual flat springs separating said annular electric contacts and centrally secured apart from said contacts and spread ing on either side of their fasteners and diametrically arranged in pairs and supplemen tal means straddling and holding said annular contacts apart following the initial pressure on said separating springs adapted to contribute to the spacing 01": the annular ccntacts under normal steering pressure, and to form a support for one annular contact prior to the act of soundin the horn.

2. An electric switch, con'iprising a steering Wheel rim forming two annular electric contacts, arcua-l fiat springs straddling and separating said annular electric contacts and centrally secured apart from said contacts and spreading on either side of their fasteners and diametrically arranged in pairs and rubber blocks alternating With the afore said springs and forming a resilient and solid support for one of said annular contacts following the initial pressure on the separating springs, said blocks straddling the annular contacts and being adapted to contribute to the spacing of the annular contacts under normal steering pressure and yet permit the operation of the switch on further pressure for the purpose of sounding the horn.

Signed at Montreal this 24th day of December, 1923. v

LOUIS HAMER. 

